Biosecurity

Biosecurity refers to protection from pathological biotic sources.

SARS and bird flu are both recent biosecurity issues. However, hundreds more viral (as in image) and other microbial threats exist, and research and education are the keys to minimizing the threats they present.

Biosecurity, protection from pathological biotic sources, includes human-to-human, animal-to-human, and environment-to-human infectious biological agents. These ‘agents’ have been loosely described as ‘non-terrorist-guided bioweapons’. They represent a strong potential threat to highly developed countries, but are especially disturbing potential threats to under-developed countries and regions.

Several hundred potentially pathogenic biosecurity threats exist, all are of significant health concern. Governments and medical scientists are at the forefront of tackling biosecurity hazards, and EDF intends to play a part in reducing the threats presented by these emerging diseases.